Prime Minister Narendra Modi is certainly one of the most visible leaders that India has had in a lifetime according to Nobel laureate Brian Paul Schmidt after a meeting with the Indian leader in the Australian city of Sydney.

PM Modi had arrived here on a three-day visit to Australia, a day ago, met with Schmidt the leader and chief executive officer of Australian National University today

“Prime Minister Modi is certainly one of the most visible leaders that India has had in my lifetime, and just talking to him, I can see why. He’s very personable and really takes an interest in people when he talks to them. And I think that’s probably true of whoever he talks to, whether it’s the President of the United States or someone that he meets for the first time from society,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt also spoke about India’s work in research and science.

“It was actually really enjoyable. He (PM Modi) was very well briefed on what we’re doing here in Australia and how we can work together in research and science. India’s ability to do world-class science has become just an order of magnitude higher because India is investing in its science and scientists to give them equipment and the ability to ask questions on the edge,” Schmidt said.

The Nobel laureate chairs key management committees including the University Senior Management Group and the ANU Executive and is also a member of the ANU governing body, the Council.

The Vice-Chancellor is the University’s primary representative to government and wider society and to national and international organisations. Professor Schmidt was appointed the 12th Vice-Chancellor of ANU in January 2016.

Professor Schmidt is the winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics, alongside many other academic awards and distinctions, Professor Schmidt spent most of his academic career as an astrophysicist at the ANU Mount Stromlo Observatory and Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics before becoming Vice-Chancellor.

“Furthering India-Australia cultural and people-to-people ties. PM Modi interacted with prominent public figures in Australia, working in diverse fields of science, artificial intelligence, humanities, social work, gastronomy, art and music. Congratulated them on their achievements and encouraged them to contribute to strengthening India-Australia relationship,” Ministry of

External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet.

Source ANI